We don't need to watch the daily news to learn the latest unpleasant facts about the current economic situation. The stack of bills we retrieve from the mailbox is reminder enough, and the recently-reported 10 percent unemployment rate is causing many of us to look for ways to spend less and make our money go a little further until things improve. The following hints can help you get started.
1. Try to keep a close watch on the temperature inside your living space. Keeping your home too warm in the winter or too cool in summer is not good for your budget. Have your furnace tuned every two years and set your thermostat for a comfortable 68 - 72 degrees. If a young or elderly person needs more warmth in a particular room, use a small electric space heater (look for one with an automatic off switch for safety) in the specific room where they will spend a chunk of time. Wear sweaters and use throws when necessary. In the summer, allow most of the house to get warmer, and only cool the room where you will spend a lot of time. Even with a fairly large house, you can easily save money on heating and cooling costs.
2. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees. Turn off all appliances and lights that are not being used; unplug energy-draining appliances that have a clock or operate by a remote, and phone chargers unless they are in use. Repair leaking faucets to avoid wasting water. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs; their initial higher cost will quickly yield savings in energy costs.
3. While the cost per gallon of gasoline has gone down in recent weeks, owning and driving a car still takes a big chunk out of everyone's budget. Improve your car's efficiency by maintaining proper tire pressure and having regular maintenance done to keep your car running well. Have regular oil changes and follow through with the manufacturer's recommended schedule of vehicle maintenance. You don't want to skimp on taking care of your vehicle and let something slip by that might result in even more expensive repairs.
4. Make a list of places to go before leaving to do errands and follow a logical route. You don't want to go somewhere and then have to backtrack and waste gasoline along the way. Try to do your errands in a semi-circular route.
5. We all want to present ourselves well, and we want the same for our kids, but that does not mean spending money you don't have on overpriced designer clothes and shoes. Children grow quickly and can move from one size clothing to another in a matter of months-often before their clothes are hardly worn at all. Even though neither you nor your child want to wear hand-me-downs, now that times are tough you may have no other option. Make sure your clothes are clean and neat-maybe even ironed-and fit well. And everyone should have one special-relatively new-outfit to wear for special occasions.
6. Good second-hand-and some cases, even new-clothes for adults and children can be had for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries. Some cities also have church-affiliated or other organization-affiliated second-hand stores where you can buy similar items at good prices and, at the same time, help others through the organization's work.
7. Learn nutrition basics to ensure that your family is properly and adequately fed. Learn to make smart choices by understanding food labels. Buy locally-grown produce in season, and don't ignore non-national-brand-name (generic) food. Most of the generic products are actually produced by the same factories that make the brand-name products. The only real difference is generally the label put on the can or the box.
8. Make a list before you go shopping and stick to it. Don't buy impulse items. Clip coupons. Watch newspaper flyers for specials. Check out internet coupon sites for some great deals. And after you save all that money with your coupons, remember to cook at home more often.
If you need help, apply for Food Stamps or WIC (Women, Infants and Children). Eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found online at [http://www.fns.usda.gov/FSP] (Food Stamps) and http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic (WIC). If you are having a particularly hard time and need emergency food, search the Internet (or your local telephone directory) for Food Bank (your city and state). Most communities have some sort of program to provide food and grocery products from food drives, purchases, and donations from manufacturers and supermarkets. Additionally, many churches have similar food distribution programs, and you usually do not need to be a church member to receive food.
9. Now is the time to protect your job. Dress neatly and appropriately. Show up early and don't rush out the door right at quitting time. Do your best to do what you're asked to do, efficiently and in a professional manner. Go beyond what you're told to do-show that you're aware of what needs to be done and that you're willing to go the extra mile. Be pleasant and don't grumble or waste time and perhaps learn additional skills in another position within your own department to make yourself even more valuable to your employer.
10. Everyone likes to be pampered, but if you're trying to cut financial corners, look at your personal care expenses. Remember to shower daily and keep your hairstyle simple and neat. You still want to look good, so professional haircuts at proper intervals are probably important to you. But can you style your own hair between cuts in order to avoid a weekly in-salon style? Do you really need weekly manicures and pedicures? And, Ladies, an $8.50 drugstore foundation will cover just as well as a $40 department store foundation.
11. Never allow your health or life insurance to lapse. Never, ever. If you're having trouble paying your health insurance premiums, talk to your agent about changing your coverage, but do not allow your insurance to lapse. A major illness or injury can happen at any time and could wipe you out. If you don't have health insurance coverage, contact your state Medicaid office. If your family meets certain income and asset tests, you may receive coverage.
Additionally, don't be without life insurance. People of all ages die every day, and the cost of even a simple funeral can be exorbitant. Avoid whole life insurance; term insurance, with higher coverage, costs less.
12. Even in difficult times, everyone wants to have some fun. If you haven't already done so, introduce your kids to reading. Public libraries are free and often have special programs for all ages. Instead of buying that $10 movie ticket to the Big-Deal Movie theater, borrow a movie classic from the library. Or, if you have a little money to spend, invite some friends over and share the cost of a rented movie and snacks.
If your city has a museum, look into free programs that may be available. Look into your city's daily newspaper or alternative weekly for information about local free activities. Go for a hike; go to the beach; go to the mountains. Boys and Girls Clubs provide free and low-cost fun, as do local community centers.
13. Don't buy things you don't need. Always think "wants" versus "needs". Use cash for most purchases-you'll be better aware of how much you're spending. Reuse things when you can.
Taking these relatively-painless steps can yield surprising savings in your pocket, and you can start today!
Deborah Clark Ebel is a registered psychiatric nurse and the author of The Forgotten Future: Adolescents in Crisis.
